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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
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Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization

Published on: June 17, 2025

Transgenerational epigenetic effects.

Neil A Youngson1, Emma Whitelaw

  • 1Department of Population Studies and Human Genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane 4006, Australia.

Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
|September 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transgenerational epigenetic effects encompass non-genetic inheritance of traits. However, most effects are not due to direct transgenerational epigenetic inheritance via gametes, contrary to popular belief.

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Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants
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Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Published on: July 29, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
05:55

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization

Published on: June 17, 2025

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
10:28

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)

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Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants
08:58

Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Published on: July 29, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transgenerational epigenetic effects are crucial for non-genetic determination of phenotype.
  • Evolutionary biologists have long studied these effects, referring to them as non-Mendelian inheritance.
  • These effects involve physiological and behavioral information transfer across generations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the scope and mechanisms of transgenerational epigenetic effects.
  • To differentiate between transgenerational epigenetic effects and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
  • To address common misconceptions in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis.
  • Examination of existing research on epigenetic inheritance.
  • Distinction between epigenetic effects and inheritance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Transgenerational epigenetic effects are broader than previously assumed.
  • Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, involving gametic transmission, is only one mechanism.
  • Many observed transgenerational effects may not involve direct inheritance through gametes.

Conclusions:

  • A significant portion of transgenerational epigenetic effects likely do not result from transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
  • Misunderstanding of terminology leads to overestimation of epigenetic inheritance.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the diverse mechanisms underlying transgenerational epigenetic effects.